After taking a few years off I decided to get back into triathlon and signed up for this one, but now I am beginning to think I made a mistake.<br /><br />The pool seemed like a good idea, but I am starting to wonder how they put you in order, and how you can pass.&nbsp; If people inflate swim times like they do running finishing times, the swim could quickly become a mess.&nbsp; Plus, it says you have to change lanes each length, so no flip-turns.<br /><br />The bike is three 2 mile loops which, in that park, is going to mean lots of tight turns and traffic.&nbsp; That seems like a setup for lots of spills.<br /><br />So has anyone done this, and is it going to be as frustrating as I suspect?&nbsp; Should I have just waited for the Great South Bay, which I am signed up for anyway?&nbsp; Or is this better than it sounds?

I did this race a few years ago and it wasn&#039;t that bad.&nbsp; Self seed for the swim which was pretty fair as I only passed three or four people.&nbsp; Everyone pretty much stayed to the right in the swim lane which allowed for enough space to comfortably make passes.&nbsp; The bike was a bit tricky.&nbsp; Passing people and the turns were tough.&nbsp; The problem was that there were a lot of beginners who tended to ride in the middle of the road and were slow to move.&nbsp; However, that is to be expected at this type of race and I just went with the flow and did not get hung up on being slowed down a bit.&nbsp; I think you will enjoy this race as there is a lot of enthusiasm and a good vibe.&nbsp; Just expect to get out of it what it is, an early season tune up.&nbsp; Good Luck.

So what does &quot;self seed&quot; mean.&nbsp; I assume that everyone is lined up then you get in the pool every 10 seconds and take off, but how is the seeding working?&nbsp; Is it like the old military game where you have sort yourself by height, or are you asked at check in and line up by number, or something else?<br /><br />Another question:&nbsp; Where is T-1 located?&nbsp; The reason I am asking is if it is 50 degrees and windy that day how far do you run from the pool house before you can get to your towel?&nbsp; I survived BUDS so I can survive this, but thats not to say I want to relive old time&nbsp;

They tell you to line up by your 400 meter swim time-i.e. 5 min, 6min, 7min etc.&nbsp; Again, I was actually surprised at how orderly and honest people were.&nbsp; Most people did not want to deal with being swam over so they erred on the side of slow.&nbsp; When you&#039;re done with the swim you are close to an open door which leads outside.&nbsp; You have about a 50-100 yard run to T1.&nbsp; If it&#039;s cold your feet are going to feel it for sure.&nbsp; Like I said the only sketchy thing was the bike.&nbsp; If you are a fast rider you will have some trouble passing.&nbsp; Overall, it&#039;s a nice little tune up race but really slanted toward the first timer.&nbsp; Two years ago, I decided to do the Bronx Biathlon instead as April my tune up.&nbsp; Good luck.

You were right.&nbsp; Thanks.&nbsp; I lined up between the 8 and 10 minute marks and ended up passing about a dozen people, but the lanes were so wide that it was pretty easy to get by.&nbsp; I was surprised at the number of swimmers that were hanging onto the lane markers by the 300 meter mark.<br /><br />The bike section was actually pretty clean.&nbsp; I averaged 25.5 mph and my only problem was the 180&#039;s at each end.<br /><br />The run is what disappointed me.&nbsp; We had to climb a pretty steep and muddy hill right out of T2.&nbsp; Lots of people were either walking or crawling up that hill.<br /><br />Anyway, good warm up race, and the Nassau Aquatic Center is unbelievable.&nbsp; I had seen the outside many times but never gone inside.&nbsp; What a piece of work.<br /><br />Now on to GSB.

Good Job